Chapter eight: first step

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The sun is hot. It scorches everyone under it, but it doesn't seem to disturb Solaith Fierce. For the fifteenth time, he grabs another sturdy crossbow and arrow, not before wiping the fluid off his forehead. None of his men dare to utter a word about how stiff he is working them on a bloody afternoon as this. They hope he will become exhausted soon and give them the chance to rest their sore muscles.

But, they soon lose hope.

Three hours have passed and they are still practicing, the sun gets sizzling and blistering.

As Solaith faces the target made of barn, he squints his eyes as he drags the tough string of the crossbow. The man is shirtless under the heat of today, his torso and bulging muscles are covered in his own liquescent, but for him, he hasn't started yet. He can't help but think of Mona Aurora.

He thought about her ever since yesterday's ball followed by that prince...

Solaith scowls in bother as he steadies his angle for another shot, his eyes are intimating as he fires the arrow and turns to pick another one.

Solaith?

Reshnok, his most trusted ally and friend has seen the tire on the soldiers faces, but he has not come to save them.

"Someone is here to see you."

Who is it? Solaith replies without care, he is not at his best mood right now.

"It's your fiancée."

Solaith stops when he hears his friend. He is about to take the next shot , but this news has his attention stolen.

What is she doing here?

He faces Reshnok.

"Solaith, she is your fiancée." How would I know that?

The man of victory turns to the fatigued soldiers whom he hadn't taken note of during several hours of pondering thoughts that made time seem insignificant.

"You might want to wash off that sweat before you see her." Reshnok adds and Solaith glares at him.

"Hey, I'm just saying." Reshnok raises his hands in surrender.

"Soliders take a break." Solaith answers before he walks away.

After few minutes of freshening up, Solaith walks into the murky sitting room where he makes his guest wait, and as he walks into the room. He notices that she is on her feet staring at the interior of his home. He watches her.

She is wearing a simple buttery gown and her hair is packed carelessly, several strands are misplaced on her shoulders and forehead. Solaith knows she has not perceived his presence yet, her face is turned away from him. It feels like he shouldn't bother her. "Actually he wants to continue to stare at her without her knowledge—it is what he has been doing since he begun to fancy Mona Aurora."

Solaith knocks the door behind and she spins to face him.

Oh, afternoon! She exclaims.

What are you doing here? Solaith asks as he walks closer.

Excuse me? She asks, he can tell that his simple question is not fathomable from her emerald eyes.

"We are to wed in a month, the least we can do is know each other before then. She replies, her brows in a crease."

"Have your seat then." Solaith replies as he walks over to the table that has a bottle of liquor, he pours two glasses and heads back to her.

Here.

She collects it, but yet again he finds confusion in her eyes towards his simple action.

"Thank you." She says.

Is this the house you plan on bringing me into?

Solaith takes his seat and smiles a little at her question.

You don't like it?

"Um...it's not really fitting for me." Do you not have workers to help repair and change things here?

Solaith goes silent as he stares at her.

"Next question." He replies.

"You didn't reply my first question yet." She says.

"I know, next question." Solaith says as he gulps the entire liquor down his throat.

Is this how rude you plan on being?

I also don't want to marry you.

Solaith feels a cut in his heart by her spoken words; he looks over at the glass in his hands before drawing in breath. It would take him another round of aphorisms to find his confidence—his mind is currently helping him find his self-esteem.

"Answer my questions, please." She says.

How about you answer mine first?

Go on.

"Is your father also involved in the massacre? He asks and turns to her."

He finds her hiding her hands on her lap after he asked his question.

"My father would never be a part of that." She replies.

How about your grandfather? Solaith asks.

"I don't know."

You expect me to believe that? Solaith's voice rises.

"I don't care what you believe."

He senses disgust in her voice; it is what his mind tells him. There is a part of his mind that advises him about what seems like an incoming threat, heading for his insecurities.

"You will when we wed." He begins to pull hers.

And what is that supposed to mean? She asks as she rises from her feet.

This is what Solaith wants, he wants to scare her.

"Before you even answer that, let me make it clear to you that I will not be sexually tangled with you." This is marriage is for paper and it will stay that way for a very long time solider.

And what makes you think I want to be sexually convoluted with you? Solaith rises from his feet.

"In the façade of the united lands, you pronounce yourself to be a woman of poise when in fact you must have been behind closed doors with perhaps Brekha?"

Solaith watches her eyes turn into shock.

Now that he has found a way to weaken her perhaps his own flaw will stay hidden.

"Repeat that Solaith Fierce." She commands, Solaith notices the change in her voice, she knows authority too and it intimidates him.

I dare you to repeat that statement, scum!

Why repeat it? You still have it playing in your head don't you?

Men like you are nothing but society's trash. Man of victory? Applaud yourself for it is all you will ever be! How dare you insult me? She says.

"If I am this so called waste, then why would you, a decorous young woman, most suitable lady in United lands be joined with me in matrimony." I guess my victory speaks volume than my personality. And because of that, I get to have a woman like you as a partner.

Solaith corners her again.

'Having me as your partner won't bring back your family. I am not your family; you will still be lonely, just as you were fourteen years ago."

Just when he thought he had won the scuffle of flaws, she crushes him along with everything he is trying so hard to hide. His hand tightens as it plays in his head over and over again. How did it all go from hiding his insecurities to watching it all manifest by the one he wants to hide it from the most.

Solaith's hand tightens without his knowledge.

Will you hit a woman? I shouldn't be surprised by that too, should I?

She gives him a heavy glare before she begins to walk out of his room.

Ouch!

She squeals when she is moments away from the door, he turns and watches her hold the ankle of her feet. Solaith predicts that she must have failed to see the counter beside the door on her way out.

He begins to gait out the room without planning to offer assistance; he is one step out of the door when he senses the sharp heave on his sleeve.

Are you going to leave me like this!?

What kind of man are you!?

Solaith faces her.

He bends and takes a hold of her feet.

He pulls of her stockings and puts pressure on the ankle making which makes her scream. Maybe if he had told her that he was about to crack her bone then she would have taken cover. But, this man of victory is really heartless.

Shocked by the instant throbbing, she misses her balance and falls right through his arms, both her hands are around his neck and Solaith feels somewhat misty fall over his shoulders.

He doesn't hear a word from her.

Can you walk? Solaith decides to ask considering how long she has stayed in his arms.

Slowly, she releases him and wipes her cheeks.

She cries.